IAN Dunbavin's blushes were spared when Accrington Stanley's clash with Mansfield on Saturday was postponed due to a water-logged pitch.
The 'keeper had just committed a howler, kicking the ball straight to Stags striker Mickey Boulding who had fired home with the last kick of the first half.
But, after a torrential downpour before the match and persistent rain during the first half, referee Jon Moss called a halt to proceedings during the interval.
It was bitterly disappointing for the watching crowd but the game was in doubt before kick off.
Moss had got a weather report from the Met Office which said "light rain" so he decided, despite water on the pitch, that it could go ahead.
"It started to rain before the game, we did a quick pitch inspection, there was a little bit of standing water on there but after talking to both managers and groundstaff we felt that would drain straight away," explained the West Yorkshire official.
"But we had torrential rain through the first half, the water didn't move at all, so at half-time when we came off I saw the groundsman again and made the decision, after speaking to both managers, to call the game off because of player safety.
"I was disappointed - all the officials had travelled quite a way and wanted the game to finish.
"It could have continued but it wouldn't have been much of a spectacle for the suporters and the main factor was the players' safety."
Stanley manager John Coleman agreed despite the fact his side were hunting for their first league win in 11 games.
"Even if we were winning, I would have accepted the referee's decision," said Coleman."You have got to respect it. The referee was fair to both sides but I suppose Mansfield equalising did help to make the decision easier. But I have not complaints that they called it off."
The Reds had gone ahead when, for the second game running, striker David Brown was fouled in the area.
Mansfield defender Jake Buxton bundled him over and winger Andy Todd made no mistake from the penalty spot on nine minutes for his second spot kick in two games.
Both sides had chances before a Leam Richardson seemingly harmless back pass was not properly cleared by Dunbavin and Boulding was there to fire home.
There isn't a re-arranged date for the game but, on Mansfield's web-site, they say it could be around Tuesday 20 March.
Stanley have said they will offer reduced prices for fans who paid to watch the clash last Saturday for the re-arranged match with the Stags.
